Walking Your Dog:6 Tips to Establish Pack Leadership
It doesn’t matter if you’re walking just one dog or 10 at a time; you can keep them in line if you’ve established yourself as the pack leader. Here are six tips for walking your dog in a way that establishes your authority.
1. Use a short leash
Using a short leash gives you more control, which is essential for establishing yourself as the pack leader. Attach the leash to the top of the dog’s neck; this will allow you to more easily guide your dog.
2. Stay in front
If your dog has a sense of control during the walk, he will see himself as the pack leader. But your dog will see you as the pack leader when you walk in front of it.
This starts from the moment you leave the house. Make sure you walk through the door first. The dog can walk behind you or beside you.
3. Walk for a minimum of 30 minutes in the morning
Don’t end the walk as soon as your dog relieves itself. Set aside at least 30 minutes for walks, and go for as many as 60 minutes if possible. The needs of each dog breed are different. Consult your veterinarian, and monitor your dog’s behavior to ensure its needs are being fulfilled.
4. Reward your dog on your terms
After your dog has relieved himself, allow him to wander about sniffing around. However, you will need to dictate the beginning and the end of “reward” time. If he resists your tug on the leash, tug a bit harder until he obeys your “command” to start walking.
Never yank your dog around. Gentle tugs on the leash should be sufficient enough for him to follow your lead.
5. Stay in the lead
Stay in the lead even after you’re done walking. Make your dog wait as you remove her leash and/or remove your shoes.
6. Reward her after the walk
By giving your dog a meal or snacks after you walk, she will realize that she has to “work” for food.
These are just some tips to get you started on the road to becoming your dog’s clear pack leader. There are some important reasons to establish this leadership role. The only way you can successfully do it is to be consistent and disciplined in your approach.
1. Use a short leash
Using a short leash gives you more control, which is essential for establishing yourself as the pack leader. Attach the leash to the top of the dog’s neck; this will allow you to more easily guide your dog.
2. Stay in front
If your dog has a sense of control during the walk, he will see himself as the pack leader. But your dog will see you as the pack leader when you walk in front of it.
This starts from the moment you leave the house. Make sure you walk through the door first. The dog can walk behind you or beside you.
3. Walk for a minimum of 30 minutes in the morning
Don’t end the walk as soon as your dog relieves itself. Set aside at least 30 minutes for walks, and go for as many as 60 minutes if possible. The needs of each dog breed are different. Consult your veterinarian, and monitor your dog’s behavior to ensure its needs are being fulfilled.
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4. Reward your dog on your terms
After your dog has relieved himself, allow him to wander about sniffing around. However, you will need to dictate the beginning and the end of “reward” time. If he resists your tug on the leash, tug a bit harder until he obeys your “command” to start walking.
Never yank your dog around. Gentle tugs on the leash should be sufficient enough for him to follow your lead.
5. Stay in the lead
Stay in the lead even after you’re done walking. Make your dog wait as you remove her leash and/or remove your shoes.
6. Reward her after the walk
By giving your dog a meal or snacks after you walk, she will realize that she has to “work” for food.
These are just some tips to get you started on the road to becoming your dog’s clear pack leader. There are some important reasons to establish this leadership role. The only way you can successfully do it is to be consistent and disciplined in your approach.
Comment(s)7
He has passed on and I miss our walks.
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Once again thank you. I think you run a great business and I would definitely order from you again.
Merry Christmas to all.
Regards,
D Henry
Sydney NSW
Australia
My dog instinctively waits for me to go first, but, there are times when she has crossed my path to block me, in these cases, she's been allowed to go first and it's paid off. I'm constantly heeding my dogs body language a that's their way of communicating.
We watch each others back.
I would much rather my dog enter my house first and catch any instruder in the act rather then interupt an intruder myself and possibly get hurt. My dog is my companion but also my protector. I either want her by my side or infront. never behind me. She knows who the Alpha Dog is. Animals are smart. she knew who was boss the first day I brought her home. She sees who feed her, she sees me drive a car. she sees all of these things she Cant do therefore I Must be the Alpha or Leader. I pick up and grasp things she cant do and I take care of her she Knows who is the Alpha by instinct and when she trys to inforce her own will I quickly let her know I am the Leader.